Shalimar closing in Albany, adding other locations

After 18 years in the long block of lower Central Avenue east of Henry Johnson Boulevard, the Indian mainstay Shalimar Restaurant is closing to concentrate on other locations. The final night for Shalimar-Albany will be next Saturday, Oct. 31. It will be replaced the next day by a Pakistani-Indian restaurant called Lazeez.

Owner Leo Ashiq tells me dinner business has been poor in Albany but exploding at his Delmar location, which opened a few months back in Delaware Plaza, at 180 Delaware Ave. Starting Nov. 1, both phone numbers for the Albany shop — 434-0890 and 434-0946 — will ring through to the Delmar restaurant, which will provide delivery service throughout Albany.

“That portion of Central has become very challenging for businesses,” Ashiq says diplomatically, starting with lack of parking.

In addition to the Delmar location, there is another Shalimar in Clifton Park (in Shopper’s World Plaza, 348-1494). Ashiq tells me he’s currently negotiating for locations to open two more, on Western Avenue in Guilderland and upper Union Street in Schenectady.

I’ve never been to the Albany location, but I have to say that the Clifton Park location is the first time I had Indian food which I actually enjoyed. My prior attempts at this cuisine weren’t very good and I was pleased to learn that not everything had to taste the same.

As much as I enjoy the CP Shalimar for a quick lunch, I was blown out of the water by Karavalli in Latham. Maybe someone more experienced in Indian cuisine can help me out here – what are all of the little bowls of spices, seeds(?), etc. at the front of the buffet table at Karavalli? I often see people combining them in small bowls with their meals, but I don’t have the first clue of what I am looking at or what to do with the food.

I initially freaked out when I read this, but I didn’t even know that Shalimar has a Delmar location. That’s good news. The location of that Central Ave. facility had something to do with the bad business. My desire to avoid the beggars and druggies usually outweighed the naan.

Very sad news for Albany – and it makes me want to start blogging again (sometime after November 3, this will happen). Shalimar was the first restaurant of its kind to open in Albany – yummy, inexpensive Indian food. And I was one of their first customers – one of their first regular customers. Actually, it wasn’t too long ago that I stopped in their for lunch and it was PACKED.

I have ordered take out from Delmar because I live in that area, so although it’s sad to see it leave Albany, I will continue to be a customer. This should be a wake up call to the city of Albany though – they need to clean up the city before other businesses decide to leave as well.

I went to Casablanca a few weeks back and had an excellent meal. The service was slow, but the food was worth it. My fish tagine had two generous tilapia filets served with vegetables and rice for something like $9. We also had an appetizer that was kind of like a brie-en-croute only with chicken, almonds, honey and powdered sugar. Great value, friendly service (but slow). Be sure to give them a try.

This is absolutely horrible. I go to shalimar on Central at least every two weeks for the brunch. I love this location because it is right around the corner from my house and it is my favorite Indian place in the Albany. At least there are other locations, but I defintely won’t be going as much since they are so much farther away. Hopefully they will open a restaurant on western ave because the guilderland area lacks any kind of Indian restaurants that I know of and could definitely use some.

Its true that that block is challenging – but I’ll second the high recommendation for Aashiana. I don’t actually like Shalimars food, myself, but I have walked over to have dinner and super affordable lunch buffet from Saleem more times than I can count. I keep taking new people there trying to help build his business (and they keep going back without me, which is the goal) because I’m scared to death it will close and I’ll lose the amazing beef schwarma 🙂 But, maybe this news will be good for Aashiana’s future, and the people who are in love with Shalimar won’t have to go far or can have it delivered. I’ve been meaning to try the Moroccan place but Aashiana pulls me in…

As an Indian Food “virgin”, what are some foods or dishes to order? I’m willing to try new foods, but bringing in the family, would have no idea what to order. Bride and Spawn are amenable to mild spices…

i personally read into the “challenging location” comment that it is too much competition in the area. There’s a number of Indian restaurants nearby. Ghandi’s, a place on corner of Lark and Madison, Aashina, Royal India not too far, plus lots of other “ethnic” places.

Best Indian food is indeed in Karavalli. @2 – you mix those things with puffed rice as an appetizer of sorts. if you are not sure what to mix with what, ask a waiter, I am sure they will be very helpful.

Sorry to see Shalimar go!!!!
I don’t do Indian food in summer because of the ghees and creams-too heavy for me but, I can do it 2-3 times a week no problem in the other seasons.
Dodging the beggars, panhandlers, and cast of characters getting in and out of the car is just too troublesome after along day at work-sorry but true (years ago I would walk too n from)
Best of luck in the other locations.
Casablanca-RUN DON”T WALK TOO !!!!!!! Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous
Amazing Moroccan
Again- I hope they make it because of their location

Another “feather in their Cap” for the great leaders of the city of Albany…Another taxpayer is leaving for greener pastures….

Truly Central Avenue is a true real life example of what a City Government like Albany has can do to a City.. Going on 50 years, they should be so proud! And people keep voting for them…must be those patronage jobs and Ward heelers keeping things in check.. 801 abandoned and empty buildings,, so much to be proud of…..

One hopes that the City is meeting regularly with businesses throughout to see what they need. I’m assuming this isn’t happening given the rate of closures. The City ought to have their “economic development” team on the ground, paying visits to these establishments and talking with owners. If there is a common denominator for why these well-established businesses are relocating, the City should address it hastily. It sounds like in some cases economics are not the primary issue.

#17 – Another suggestion to go for Shalimar’s excellent Lunch Buffet (Mon-Sat)- that way you can sample many dishes and see what you like…it may be my imagination, but I thought the Friday buffet had slightly more options than other days.

I am very saddened that the Central Ave location is closing – I am surprised in a way – the place always seemed busy enough when I have been there. I loved walking there to pick up lunch from the buffet.

I am very glad they will continue to run their other locations, but I hope they will consider another down town location…please keep the downtown dining scene alive! Consider New Scotland Ave – there are a few empty business locations over there…

@Erin’s Dad: Chicken Tikka Masala is a good intro. It’s mild but flavorful in a way that’s different from what you’re used to but not so exotic that it challenges you. If it helps ease the minds of any wary friends that you bring along, remember that tikka masala is basically the national dish of Britain, a country known for its traditionally bland cuisine 😉

As others have said, a lunch buffet is a good starting point because you can dabble in whatever looks interesting.

A real shame. I was an often Shalimar customer – walking in for lunch, dinner after a date downtown, etc. I likely won’t be driving out to Delmar or Clifton Park. I share the sentiment that Central Ave is looking a bit ragged, but in vacant storefronts are few and far between and that’s comforting. Sad to see such a fantastic place go. I wish them luck. Perhaps they can add a location to the lower new scotland ave neighborhood?

Erin’s Dad – Chicken tikka masala is certainly unobjectionable, but it is generally swimming in a rich cream sauce (forewarned is forearmed).

I just wanted to make sure that when you order, you try the breads and the side dishes. Part of the joy of Indian food comes from the contrasts in textures and flavors.

So consider getting both the cooling yogurt raita as well as the sweet and sticky mango chutney. And don’t forget your vegetables. Spinach with potatoes is a classic. Plus there are dozens of lentil and bean dishes.

I always find it kind of amusing that there is such a misconception about Indian food being spicy (one that I was guilty of for a long time). Apart from Vindaloo, most Indian food I have eaten has been quite mild. There are certainly fiery dishes to be had, but it is quite easy to find very tame choices on most menus. I think the multitude and combination of flavors can be challenging to those who may be used to simpler cooking styles.

Wow, I hadn’t heard that Babushka’s was gone, too. My partner and I used to stop there a lot. I liked the loose candies, we got some wonderful Bulgarian eggplant spreads there, cookies, etc..

I’ll miss the convenience of the Central Avenue location, but I have to say – as someone who doesn’t mind walking around city streets a lot – it’s impossible to walk up that particular block without being approached by someone asking for money or trying to bum a smoke or offering to sell drugs. That won’t keep me from trying Casablanca, but if I weren’t used to the area, I’d be very intimidated by the seediness of the block.

The Albany location was not delivering. Not sure if this is the normal situation. We’re a Gandhi household and thought we’d give Shalimar a shot. Unfortunately, no delivery on a no-car night has us still wondering.

WHAT!!!! First Clayton’s…now Shalimar’s! I am heated!! I love Shalimar’s food. It was my daughter..she was 15 or 16 at the time, who introduced me to Shalimar’s through her afterschool counselors, who took her class there for dinner after one of their events…and my whole family’s been eating their food ever since. Co-workers and myself used to jockey from one side of that city area trinagle to the other, between Clayton’s and Shalimar…to see which one had the “shorter” lunch line! Neither! I/we will definitely be showing up out in Delmar Plaza. Yeah….Yankee Dollar & Shalimar’s ..here I come!

Re: Casablanca in that same area of Central. I went there for the first time last night and had a wonderful vegetable couscous (some subtle savory spicing with cinnamon). I’m sure the meat versions would also be delicious. The owners couldn’t be nicer, service was wonderful, prices are very reasonable. The owners also gave me a couple of “tasting” servings of a wonderful tomato soup and a bean dish. But–I was the only patron at the time so I encourage people to keep this unique new business in downtown Albany by giving it a try. Some of us Table Hoppers can’t afford the expensive restaurants discussed on this blog, but hopefully we can throw our business to some of these family-run ethnic eateries that provide great value and food adventure.

Sad sad sad. This has always been a go-to lunch spot for me. No other Indian restaurant in center-Albany was consistantly delicious. I won’t be trekking out to the suburbs, unfortunately, so I’ll have to move on to newer digs. I didn’t even read this in time for a parting snack…